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Morocco must be African soccer kings before dreaming of World Cup, Regragui tells players

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Following the unprecedented rise of the Moroccan national team in world football, head coach Walid Regragui has told his players they must “become African soccer kings” before they can dream of being world kings.

The Atlas Lions which made history as the first African team to reach the semi finals of a FIFA World Cup in Qatar last year, and defeated Brazil 2-1 in a friendly match played on Saturday, have only won the African Nations Cup on only one occasion and Regragui believes the team has to make its mark on the continent by winning the AFCON trophy next year in Ivory Coast.

Regragui who spoke to journalists after the Atlas Lions sealed its spot for next year’s tournament, said the players must win the trophy they last won in 1976 before they can think of conquering the world.

“I told my players that we cannot be kings of the world before being kings of our continent,” Regragui said.

“You know it means a lot for us to beat Brazil, the top team in the Fifa ranking, and the country of football.”

“This is the month of Ramadan, we have to go and pray Tarawih to confirm if it’s true or not.

“Now we are going to celebrate but it’s a long way to go. We must not get on fire.”

“When I say we must win the African Cup, they say that I am exaggerating.”

“I must be careful, so I say we are not going to play for a win but we only play for happiness,” the coach said.

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Tragedy as coach killed, players injured in Sierra Leone club bus crash

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One of the coaches of Sierra Leonean club, Port Authority FC, Lamine Bangoura, a former international, has been confirmed killed while several players sustained different degrees of injuries after the team bus was involved in an accident on Tuesday night when going for a football game.

According to a statement from the club management, the players and officials of the top flight clubside are still reeling from the effect of the accident.

A local media which reported on the devastating accident on Wednesday said:

“The Sierra Leonean football is in mourning. On Tuesday evening, the Port Authority FC bus was involved in an accident. Several first team players are injured and in critical condition after this tragedy.

“The worst was the death of the Port Authority FC coach, Lamine Bangoura, who did not survive after receiving a serious blow during the accident.

“The team was en route to Kenema for a crucial match against Kahunla Rangers when tragedy struck, leaving several members in critical condition.

“The accident, which occurred at Konta Line, has claimed the life of the former Sierra Leone international and team coach, Lamine Bangura.

“Lamine Bangura was a highly revered figure in Sierra Leonean football and leaves behind a legacy that transcends the sport.

“Despite the best efforts of medical personnel at Masiaka Hospital, Bangura succumbed to his injuries, leaving behind a void in Sierra Leonean football.”

The Sierra Leone Premier League Board, in a statement on Wednesday, expressed deep regret and sent condolences to the team.

“While details of the incident are still emerging, it has been confirmed that there were injuries sustained by individuals involved in the accident.

“Our immediate priority is the well-being and recovery of those affected by this unfortunate event,” the statement said.

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‘I stood up for my teammates’, Super Eagles’ Bright Osayi defends beating up pitch invader

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Super Eagles and Fernabache of Turkey defender, Bright Osayi-Samuel, has opened up on why he had to beat up a pitch invader in the wake of a brawl with some fans of Tranzonspor during a match in a Turkish Superlig.

The right-back had come under the spotlight when he was seen beating up a fan of Tranzonspor who had attempted to attack Fernabache players during the match last Sunday.

While many fans of the club had applauded Osayi-Samuel’s action, even going ahead to make a graffiti of the scene, others have condemned him and even went as far as demanding sanctions for him.

But while speaking to sports journalists on Monday in Morocco where the Eagles are currently preparing for a friendly match against Mali, the 25-year-old defender said he had to stand up for his teammates in self defence.

“The fans attacked the team, some had weapons on them, I had to defend my team, it was self defence, that’s what happened,” he said.

“My teammates suffered cuts and bruises, some were really scared, several others also joined me to try to defend the team.

“We found a way to win and avenge our only loss in the league to the same team after they beat us at our home in the first round,” he added.

Fans of Trabzonspor had invaded the pitch after title-chasing Fenerbache recorded a 3-2 win at away to keep up the pressure on league leaders Galatasaray, a defeat which angered the home fans and led to them invading the pitch.

But they met their match in the Super Eagles player who chased some and pounced on them heavily.

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